Production has begun on a new anime based on Shirou Masamune’s cyberpunk cornerstone Koukaku Kidoutai. The project was announced on October 23, 2026, and Science SARU, the studio behind the 2026 TV anime Koukaku Kidoutai: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, will again handle animation production.
The original manga by Shirou Masamune was published in Kodansha’s Young Magazine Zoukan Kaizokuban in 1989.
In July 2026, the TV anime Koukaku Kidoutai: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, animated by Science SARU, aired and streamed, marking a new development for the series.
Science SARU is an animation studio with many works acclaimed in Japan and overseas, including Golden Globe Animated Film Award nominee Inu-Ou, Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Goblet Award for Best Animation winner Kimi no Iro, and the TV anime Dandadan. The studio also has Dandadan Season 3 scheduled to air in 2027.
The production start was revealed as a surprise at the press preview for the public event OPEN HOUSE, to be held at DOVER STREET MARKET GINZA in Tokyo on October 24, through flyers distributed to visitors. At the preview, a signing session was held with Moko-chan, director of the TV anime, to commemorate the launch of collaboration items between apparel project GEEKS RULE and Koukaku Kidoutai: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL.
An announcement visual for the new anime was also released. Further updates are planned through Bandai Namco Filmworks’ official social media and other channels.
The TV anime’s Blu-ray BOX (special limited edition), containing all 10 episodes, is scheduled for release on December 23, 2026. The bonus disc includes making-of footage, non-credit opening and ending sequences, and promotional videos. The package uses newly drawn illustrations and comes with a booklet and storyboard book.
Limited goods from the Koukaku Kidoutai Exhibition Ghost and the Shell, including T-shirts, hoodies and other apparel, plush charms, posters, stickers, and miscellaneous items, are available on ONLINE PARCO until March 31, 2027 at 23:59.
On October 16, 2026, the official Koukaku Kidoutai Discord server opened. The community lets fans around the world discuss the series, and people who join within one month of launch receive the early-participant role ‘The First Ghosts’.
Kodansha’s YanMaga Web is serializing GLITCH WITCH, with original concept by Shirou Masamune and manga by Higashi Naoki, updated every other Wednesday. Set on April 10, 2029, when Kusanagi Motoko and Aramaki were trying to establish Public Security Section 9, also known as Koukaku Kidoutai, the story follows incidents that occur in America. As the FBI, AI researchers, and the military pursue the cases, they witness a certain battle. The story depicts a battle between Project 2501, known as Ningyou Tsukai, with whom protagonist Kusanagi Motoko fuses at the end of Koukaku Kidoutai: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, and a Solomon-class AI that holds humanity’s fate.
The Koukaku Kidoutai world is on the move again. Expectations are high for what kind of story Science SARU’s visuals will bring.
Koukaku Kidoutai (Tentative) Outline
| Work title | Koukaku Kidoutai (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Original | Shirou Masamune (Kodansha KC Deluxe) |
| Animation production | Science SARU |
Koukaku Kidoutai: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL
Synopsis
In 2029, corporate networks cover the planet, and electrons and light race through them. In this near-future Japan, the country has not yet become so networked that nations and ethnic groups have disappeared. Full-body cyborg Kusanagi Motoko commands an elite unit including Batou and hopes to establish a special unit dedicated to preventing crimes before they occur.
Aramaki Daisuke of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who has envisioned a similar unit, scouts Kusanagi and her team. They begin operating as Public Security Section 9, the offensive organization known as Koukaku Kidoutai. As they confront cybercrimes entangled in inter-state plots, an unknown hacker called Ningyou Tsukai emerges in the investigation of a certain case. What fate awaits Kusanagi, and what is Ningyou Tsukai’s goal? A new-era cyberpunk action begins.
Staff
| Original | Shirou Masamune, Koukaku Kidoutai (Kodansha KC Deluxe) |
|---|---|
| Director | Moko-chan |
| Series composition and screenplay | Enjou Tou |
| Character design and chief animation director | Handa Shuhei |
| Art director | Katanozaka Emi |
| Art supervision | Masuyama Osamu |
| Color design | Hashimoto Ken |
| Director of photography | Itou Hikari |
| Editing | Hirose Kiyoshi |
| Sound director | Tange Yuuji |
| Sound effects | Yasohachi Shouta |
| Recording | Oota Yasuaki |
| Music director and music | Iwasaki Taisei |
| Music | Konishi Ryou, YUKI KANESAKA |
| Music production | Flying Dog |
| Animation production | Science SARU |
| Production | THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE |
Music
Opening theme: ‘GO GHOST’ by King Gnu
Ending theme: ‘Blue’ by MILLENNIUM PARADE
Cast
| Kusanagi Motoko | Sakamoto Maaya |
|---|---|
| Aramaki Daisuke | Yamaji Kazuhiro |
| Batou | Yasumoto Hiroki |
| Togusa | Nakamura Yuuichi |
| Ishikawa | Gotou Kousuke |
| Saitou | Nara Tooru |
| Borma | Miyauchi Atsushi |
| Paz | Uchida Yuuya |
| Operator | Ooi Marie |
| Fuchikoma | Kaneda Tomoko |
| Ningyou Tsukai | Inoue Kikuko |
Streaming
Streaming on Prime Video and other video services. Check the official site for more details.
(C)2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE
